​Makushin volcanoat 5,906 ft is the highest point on Unalaska Island and is 16 miles from town. The name Makushin probably comes from the Russian 'makushka,' meaning 'top of the head.' The Unangan name was Aigagin, which may refer to 'fog' or 'steam.' Makushin is a historically very active volcano. The most recent eruption, in 1995, was a short-lived release of steam and ash that rose to 8,000 ft. 17 explosions or eruptions have been recorded since 1786, though most have been "small to moderate" in magnitude. The volcano dates back to the Pliocene or early Pleistocene but the summit caldera was not formed until around 8,000 years before present. Check out the Alaska Volcano Observatory's Makushin webcam -

​There were numerous large andesite lava flows in the distant past and approx. 22,000 years ago an explosive pyroclastic flow formed the nearby Pakushin Cone. After the last ice age, there is evidence of a series of very large eruptions, culminating in the development of a summit caldera. Two main caldera forming eruptive events took place approx. 8790 and 8050 years ago. These pyroclastic eruptions generated a huge amount of debris and produced very mobile pyroclastic flows that traveled as far as Dutch Harbor where they buried ancient Unangan settlements under a foot of hot ash and rock. One of these eruptions is estimated to be similar in size and duration to the 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption.

Following the caldera-forming eruptions, frequent but smaller events have occurred up to the present time. In some places around Makushin, up to 26 volcanic ash layers have been found. Most eruptions in recorded history are minor, involving some ashfall. Increases in white steam are also noted but not considered eruptive events. Further explosive eruptions are not likely as there is a vast reservoir of water inside Makushin. This gives the volcano great potential for generating geothermal energy and the commercial possibilities of this have been explored in past decades.

Bogoslof Islandis our restless volcanic neighbor 35 miles to the northwest. In 2016 and 2017 there were more than 40 eruptions, at times disrupting air travel or casting a smell of sulfur as far south as Unalaska. Bogoslof Island is the largest of a group of a group of small, low-lying islands that comprise the emergent summit of a large submarine stratovolcano, which rises about 6,000 ft from the sea floor. According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, the first known emergence of the island above sea level was recorded during an underwater eruption in 1796. Since then, parts of the island have been successively added and eroded. The peak elevation of the island is around 492 ft. During its quiet phases, Bogoslof is a breeding site for tens of thousands of various seabirds, seals and sea lions.Confirmed eruptions have taken place in 1796-1804, 1806-1823, 1883-1895, 1906, 1907, 1909-1910, 1926-1928, 1992, 2016-2017.​An eruptive period for Bogoslof can go on for weeks and even years. Photo courtesy of Dave Schneider/AVO.

For more information on Aleutian volcanoes, please visit the Alaska Volcano Observatory website at www.avo.alaska.edu